Tom Robinson is shot while attempting to escape from prison (Palmer, R. Barton). At the same time, Atticus is preparing for his appeal, whose results no one would precisely predict. But the scenario would probably have changed had Tom not been shot, and his appeal been successful. After Tom is shot in his attempt to escape from prison, Atticus leaves for Hellen Johnson’s house. This instance, where Jem convinces Atticus to go with him together with Scout, would have been avoided altogether. But either case Atticus leaves for Hellen Johnson’s houses, probably to reveal the news about Tom’s death. This instance and the shooting of Tom expose the issues that are deeply entrenched in the city of Maycomb. As the news about Tom’s death continues to spread, everyone in the town agrees that it is typical for a black man to attempt doing what Tom was doing, escaping from prison. These revelations follow the script that has been used in Tom’s prosecution, where his conviction seems to be a result of his race, rather than being guilty. Even in his shooting, as Atticus puts it, was based on the fact that it was a prisoner escaping. These stories would have been omitted from the context if Tom was not shot and his appeal won. Another issue that would have been omitted is Mr. Underwood’s editorial that condemns Tom’s death. Underwood perceives the death of Tom as the death of an innocent man ("To Kill A Mockingbird"). In the context, Mr. Underwood does not seem to hold this position, at least until when the death of Tom is announced. It is maybe a form of political correctness for Mr. Underwood to condemn the execution of Tom.
Atticus was actively pursuing justice for Tom, and had his appeal succeeded; there is a lot that would have been altered in the story. Atticus believes so firmly in Justice, And that is why he represents Tom amidst advisory form the predominantly white society to stop doing so. But he pushes on. When Tom is convicted Atticus promises to appeal. But shortly after Tom is transferred to another prison, Atticus, instead of dealing with the appeal case, he is forced to deal the unexpected death of Tom, a situation that makes it sad, and would have been entirely different. I expected after the appeal, and its subsequent success, it will be a celebration for Tom, as well as for Atticus. In the context where people in the city are forced to discussing the shocking death of Tom, they should be talking his acquittal. Tom’s death leaves the racists thinking he was probably guilty; the story would be different had the appeal succeeded. Another way to look it is the effect the appeal’s success would have had on Ewell, as the person who accused Tom. She probably would have taken over as the main topic of discussion had Tom’s appeal succeeded. But now she leaves on like a vindicated individual, sure that justice had been buried.
Had the script changed, may we would have seen a different story in the city of Maycomb, the whole story would have taken a different route. The society would probably have condemned the false accusations, which would have had a massive effect on the overall fight against racism, and Atticus push for fairness and justice.